fighting gravity.

Oh no, definitely NOT. My upper half is extremely perky and very enjoyable.

via danny lipford

A once given obstacle that was thought of as much as breathing, pool stairs, have now become an obstacle. As I have mentioned in previous sentences, I have never been truly preggers in the summer time, thus this being the first. The kiddies love the pool, and seeing as life is easier when they're happy we spend a substantial amount of time at the pool. Whew, I wish some one could have video taped me today straggling out of the water( not really), everyone needs a great laugh now and then. I never thought about it, there I was floating weightlessly in the water, enjoying the pressure relief from the legs and the short escape from the heat. Then, naturally, all things come to an end...I must get out. Like I normally would , I went to climb the stairs, and oh WOW I weigh 9 bazillion lbs and side railings are a must! Note to self: you are no longer average, you have and oversized belly in the shape of an egg and the momentum and grace of a snail.

Let this be a lesson for the beach, I have yet to venture into the ocean this summer. I am what you call, a July swimmer, cold water is not my favorite.

Smile its teeny bikini time. (well, for some)

pictured.

I am a sucker for a good picture and tend to favor black and white. I certainly don't adorn my house the way I did my room in high school but, yes I still love a good picture.

zuri1

I had this picture of the one and only, Bob Marley..close to life size hanging in my closet most of my college life. I know, how typical right. I guess at some point or another most everybody goes through their rasta stage, this however was not one of those movements. I went through mine in high school, this poster was bought in college thank you.

Doesn't he look so peaceful? And come on, so supper chic! Love it.
Don't judge we all have closets.

ITS A BOY!!! OH WAIT, AND A GIRL!!!!

wOW! wOw! Wow!!

Complete craziness and truly heaven sent. A complete and total blessing from above and I am thrilled for mommy and daddy to be. To think this time last year a typical conversation wasn't centered around crib styles and car seats, today pure necessity! All smiles, the baby's are healthy measuring and amounting to everything wonderful.

Today noted that the little BOY (baby A) is more outgoing and active whereas his SISSY (baby B) is more low key, shy's away from the camera, and like her auntie sessie does not love to cuddle. Its the cutest!

I'm not going to lie, today was an exhausting day for this carrier, the emotions and feelings of the surrogate is in a far different spectrum than that of mommy and daddy to be. Thrilled, excited..yes! Nervous, yes we all were. But responsible, yeah that one falls on me, its easier for people to say, "oh but no, what your doing is wonderful," yeah well its still clearly nerve wrecking and emotional draining (lets not forget I have double the average hormones pumping steady :)

for him.

via babyrockapparel

for her.

via chickiechic

and for me.

anthropologie

pump it up pops!

I feel it is only appropriate to brag about the pops seeing as it is a day away from Father's Day. I must confess I am one of the luckiest gals around, a true daddy's girl (although in our house its more like his little black head :) Any who, my dad is a true hero in my eyes for numerous reason, he is smart, has a huge heart, and most importantly he can get major air! Oh yeah, this man ROCKS!

You got it! That is the ol' man, I mean..do you see the horizon? And lets just say he is no spring chicken, you catching my wind? Its fun to joke but him and his Sig other truly amaze me.


On the subject of poppies, I live with a good one. A wonderful protector and provider. The girls and I are really lucky to call him ours. We love him!

Look at that smile. A drive that took us every bit of eight hours, just so Raelyn could be engrossed in her favorite animal, THE ALLIGATOR. Sacrifices makes a good daddy.

Raising the roof to all the daddies and daddies to be out there!

presentable.

As a woman who truly enjoys fashion and everything it entails, it was only natural to have a crystal clear picture in my mind of what my children would dress like, what I would feel to be "presentable". Well, hold your horses, my two girls have fashion senses all of there own.

Raelyn, completely punk ed to the max, no thanks to Ke$ha, Gaga, and Monster High dolls. It is no special occasion for my little lady to bust out cut up tights, or lace (if I'm lucky) adorned with jean shorts and some type of top pulled from some corner of my house. Hair almost always messy and neon hair bands laced all up the arm. I must say this is a breath of fresh air compared to the clothing attire of Miss Esta Marie.

Are you like me? Or should I say how I used to be.That gal who shimmies down the aisles of Walmart staring at these Dora the Explorer, Princess, Sponge Bob themed clothes thinking, "are you serious? Surely that stuff doesn't sell." Oh but it does, and I am the new found purchaser of these tacky products (and meme of course). My sass likes to wear Dora jammies to preschool, uh huh that's where I am right now!

A bit of advice for all you mommy's and mommy's to be... pick and choose thy battle!
My motto these days, "if its clean, sure you can wear it, but lets put your hair in a pony tail."
I feel a pony tail brings everything together.

I must admit, this is not super recent..BUT this is Raelyn in a nut shell.
Creative, huh. Well she gets it honest!

Not visible in this picture, BUT both her shirt and purse (that she drags EVERYWHERE) are Dora themed!
Regardless she is a cutie.

the trip is in site.

The hub and I, with some friends are planning a trip for a treat after the babes are born.Destination is still undecided, but for me...warm weather, the beach, sweet swimming pool, and teeny bikini all will make this lady smile!

the mason.

Yes I love this name, but no, that is not whats on the mind. I have a new found obsession (surprise!) with Mason Jars. I think they are the most charming little glass jar, with purposes way beyond your classic canning escapade. Don't get me wrong, my fall figs dive into those puppies..but after a little research, these babies will be used for much more. I've seen the classic flower vase, cute. The ice tea, candle holder, all very cute...but what about lighting and storage, chic perfection.

Etsy, Lamp Goods

This would be the cutest in a white bathroom, done completely in bead board, shabby chic shower curtain and stained glass window. Garden tub of course!

Hello, storage for my new watercolor hobby! I can barely stand it.
And lastly, a little more storage for the gal in New York City, her loft apartment (brick showing) industrial piping fully exposed and a bathroom the size of a small closet.

Simple pleasures is so what  I dig.
Smile, and go buy a Mason Jar.

Yip Yip.

Yay for me! I have received my acceptance letter!! Ahh, what a relief and how soo exciting. The hub says its time to bust out the sparkling grape juice to let this momma celebrate.

You know I am a sucker for a coupon!

I know the workload is going to be taunting and this adventure certainly will not be easy, but lets face it, when do I ever seem to take the easy road? A little support, determination, and a no whine policy...consider it done.

change up.

Alot is going on here at the Pickett residence seeing as summer is here! Raelyn has finished the third grade (whoopwhoop), a year I dread for Esta Marie. Who, speaking of, has recently joined a summer program a few days a week and is blossoming into a little lady. The days are hot for this prego momma and is usually filled with headaches and leg cramps...and that will be all of the gripe fest for today.

I have yet to have a dream of the little youngsters which is usually key during pregnancy, but do not fret mommy and daddy to be have been given the dreams. My intuition tells me that the babes are boys but who really knows, I mainly feel that I am on major testosterone (grouchy-ness, and flighty memory) therefore booked with two boys. Although I am not having dreams of the tots, sleepless nites have set in. What a major drag, I don't need to prepare for sleepless nites!!

Lastly is anticipation, acceptance letters for a Surgical Technology Program that I applied for are floating in the mail as we speak, an I ohh so want one, cross your fingers and say a little prayer would ya? Oh, and for those of you with questioning minds..yes, I am in a bikini! Its not the cutest bod on the beach, but hey..its 2011, no one wants a white belly ;)

Enjoy the day.

ahh, yummy. My new favorite treat, the English Cucumber. A dash of salt and pepper and if I'm feeling spunky drizzle of vinegar. Bazaar, I crave a healthy snack.